Three Dead in Solingen Festival Attack: Islamic State Claims Responsibility, Suspect in Custody
September 26, 2024On August 23, a brutal attack at a city festival in Solingen resulted in the deaths of three people and injuries to eight others, with the assailant using a knife.
The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for this horrific attack, raising alarms about domestic terrorism.
The alleged attacker, a 26-year-old Syrian national named Issa Al H., is currently in custody facing murder charges.
Issa Al H. entered Germany through Bulgaria and applied for asylum, but under the Dublin Regulation, he should have been returned to Bulgaria for processing.
Reports indicate that the suspect purchased the knife used in the attack on the very day of the incident.
Following the attack, investigators discovered a damaged cellphone linked to the case, which the suspect reportedly used afterward but did not have during his arrest.
Authorities are now conducting extensive searches in Solingen for a second mobile phone, which is considered a crucial piece of evidence.
Investigators are clearing dense shrub areas in the city in pursuit of this second mobile phone, as well as a smartwatch that may also be relevant to the investigation.
The search operation is focused near a refugee accommodation where the suspect last resided and is expected to last several days.
North Rhine-Westphalia's Interior Minister Herbert Reul provided updates on the investigation during a closed session of the state's Interior Committee.
The incident has sparked intensified debates regarding migration policies in Germany, highlighting concerns over security and asylum processes.
Authorities are actively seeking public assistance in locating the second mobile phone and smartwatch through the state's most-wanted portal.
Summary based on 4 sources